FEMRITE  - Uganda Women Writers Association - PRESS RELEASE

The ordinary story is left unwritten and if written it is not read. The nineth edition of FEMRITE’s annual week of literary activities scheduled to take place 14^th – 18^th July 2008 explores the theme “Writing the Unfamiliar Story”.

            The week will start off with a Breakfast Meeting on July 14^th, 2008, where writers, policy makers, lecturers and students will talk about “Harnessing Uganda's Literary Heritage”. The Director of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Mbabazi will be the Guest of Honour at the event. On the same day, primary school pupils and secondary school students will have a chance of meeting prize-winning and published Ugandan writers at unique sessions that will be held at the FEMRITE offices on Kira Road Plot 147.

On 16^th July 2008, there will be a Public Dialogue that will take place at the Uganda Museum from 3 pm to 5 pm. The public is welcome to engage in a debate on “Writing the Unfamiliar Story: Engaging the Political Arena”. Visiting Writers Ms Keresia Chateuka and Ms Eresina Hwede, both distinguished writers from the Zimbabwe Women Writers Association, Professor Timothy Wangusa, a celebrated Ugandan author, poet and professor of literature and Dr. Consolata Kabonesa, Head of Women and Gender Studies Department, Makerere University will engage with the public on the topic.

            The week will end with the launch of “Today you Will Understand”; a collection of audio stories of women's experiences in armed conflict which were recorded in partnership with Integrated Regional Information Network IRIN. The evening will run under the theme “Talking Peace: Where are women’s Voices?”. This will be at Hotel Africana on July 18^th, 2008 from 5 pm to 7 pm. The Guest of Honour will be His Excellency the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany.  At this event various Civil Society Organisations will discuss the place of women in armed conflict.